Blackberry Varieties & the Navajo

Navajo/Arapaho

• The University of Arkansas developed the Navajo blackberry in 1989. This plant produces canes that are thornless and erect. According to the The University of Arizona College of Agriculture, the Navajo blackberry has small seeds and medium-size firm fruit. This blackberry has a moderate yield but ripens late in the season. Typically, root cuttings will produce plants of moderate quality. The University of Arkansas also developed the Arapaho blackberry. This thornless blackberry was introduced in 1993 and is characterized by its high vigor. Because of its vigor, most root cuttings produce quality plants. The Arapaho ripens early and produces firm fruit with small seeds.

Brazos/Brison

• Texas A&M University introduced the Brazos blackberry in 1959. This blackberry reaches maturity early; in Texas this is usually during mid-to-late May. The Brazos blackberry produces a moderate yield of large, soft fruit. According to the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, the Brazos blackberry is highly sensitive to cold weather. Damage to this blackberry will occur if temperatures dip below 5 degrees Farenheit. Texas A&M also developed the Brison blackberry in 1977. This hybrid produces large fruit, though they are slightly smaller than the fruit of the Brazos blackberry. Brison blackberries ripen early in the season and high yields.

Cherokee/Choctaw

• The University of Arkansas introduced the Cherokee blackberry in 1974. This thorny, erect plant produces a relatively high yield of medium to large firm berries with small seeds. The Cherokee is considered moderately vigorous and typically ripens mid-season. Another type of Arkansas blackberry is the Choctaw, released in 1989. This plant ripens early in the season and produces a high yield of firm, medium-size blackberries with small seeds.